I just received the following e-mail from Clay Aiken:
Dear Champions Gala Attendee,
Thank you so much for your generous support of the National Inclusion Project’s Champions Gala scheduled to take place in Raleigh, NC on October 21 & 22, 2011. We are so excited to be spending a special evening with you in celebration of the work that the National Inclusion Project does for children across the country.
However, I am writing to you with news of an important date change. Due to an unavoidable scheduling conflict with a network television show, I am unfortunately not able to host you on the original date. So to avoid disappointment, the Gala has been rescheduled for December 9 & 10, 2011, and I do hope you will be able to join us then when we will be delighted to celebrate the impact that has been made on the lives of children with and without disabilities. We have been fortunate to be able to reserve Fletcher Auditorium located in Downtown Raleigh, where I will be able to give you an expanded performance. Since the event will be during the Holiday season, it will give me a chance to share some of your favorite Holiday songs, which we have not had the opportunity to do in several years.
We are truly sorry for any inconvenience this may cause but very much look forward to seeing you December 9th & 10th. We have all updates and answers to many questions at www.inclusionproject.org. You can then contact my colleagues at the National Inclusion Project office with further questions at contactus@inclusionproject.org or by calling 919-314-5540 and please remember to inform your guests.
With warm regards,
I immediately went to the National Inclusion Project web-page. They have posted the following about the Gala…
Weekend Events
Friday evening, December 9, 7 o’clock
Celebrating our Platinum, Gold, and Silver Sponsors: Dessert reception, entertainment and conversation hosted by our founders, Clay Aiken and Diane Bubel at the Fletcher Auditorium
Saturday morning, December 10, 10 o’clock to 11:30 am
Celebrating Inclusion!: Exciting games and activities for children of all abilities at the Raleigh Marriott City Center
Saturday afternoon and evening starting at noon
Celebrating our Supporters: Luncheon noon to 1:30 pm at the Raleigh Marriott City Center
All the following activities to be held at the Fletcher Auditorium
- Silent Auction Preview 2 o’clock to 4 o’clock
- Silent Auction 5:30 pm
Champions Gala awards ceremony 7 o’clock
- Live Auction to benefit the National Inclusion Project
- Expanded Entertainment including Favorite Holiday Songs
Raleigh Marriott City Center
500 Fayetteville St
Raleigh, NC 27601
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/rdumc-raleigh-marriott-city-center/
Fletcher Auditorium
2 E. South St.
Raleigh, NC 27601
http://www.progressenergycenter.com/venue/fletcher-opera-theater
Helpful Information
1. Will my current seating request be honored?
We will do our best to accommodate all group seating requests at both the Fletcher Auditorium and the Raleigh Marriott City Center.
2. What should I do about my hotel reservation?
The Raleigh Marriott City Center has reservations available for the corresponding dates. Please call the Marriott with your current reservation to make the change and mention “National Inclusion Project” at 888-236-2427.
If you do not have a current reservation, click http://www.godowntownraleigh.com/at-ease/tourism/hotels-bed-and-breakfasts for other options.
3. Where is Fletcher Auditorium?
The Fletcher Auditorium is located at 2 E. South St within walking distance of the Raleigh Marriott. Click here for more information: http://www.progressenergycenter.com/venue/fletcher-opera-theater.
4. What should I do if I am unable to attend the event due to the date change?
If you are unable to attend due to the date change you can choose to reserve a seat in advance at the 2012 Champions Gala (details TBD); you can gift your ticket to someone else; you can use the ticket as a year-end donation to ensure no child sits on the sidelines; or we can provide a refund.
I know that this is going to cause some difficulties for some of you who already have your plane reservation….but, remember…you can use your ticket towards the new one. The good news???
1. Sounds like Clay will be on TV!!
2. Extra music from Clay in December…There is nothing better than Clay singing holiday songs!!!
3. The National Inclusion Project is an amazing organization that needs support from all of us. They must have spent lots of hours trying to “fix” this. I bet there has been a lot of hand wringing and sleepless nights. Personally, I will not complain to them. They already know this will cause trouble for supporters.
Thank you for posting this information so quickly. I am sorry that the plans had to change, but like you said…they Project has scrambled to get an alternative in place.
I will be there!!
I'm sure Clay did everything he could possibly do to keep this from happening. He's in an industry that has a tight schedule and I'm sure he has to comply to whatever time frame they require. I hope everyone will understand that this is not Clay's fault and work around it. Hopefully, those that have reservations and plane tickets will be able to exchange them with minimal cost. I AM excited to find out what he'll be doing on TV. 🙂
😀 changed my flight (gulp, just gulp) and looking forward to December!!!!
Sometimes change is unavoidable. Whatever happens I hope the NIP still has a successful Gala.
Sure NIP & Clay didn't know about this and the date, but the Gala will now be even better!! I'm excited to see Clay on my TeeVee again!!!
Glad that NIP was able to reshedule the Gala. Hope the change works out for all those who are attending. Clay is going to be on in October!!!!!!! He is finally coming out of his man cave.
Thanks CANN for posting the update.
I am sure this announcement didn't come without a lot of hand wringing and discussion and HARD work! I am excited to find out the reason for the change……and will be there in December, weather permitting! I will always support the Project!
So sorry that a lot of people have to change their plans. Hope everyone can get their flights changed without too much trouble. As for whatever that Network Television deal is….how exciting. I wonder if it could be Celebrity Apprentice? I know nothing…but this calls for some Speculating. Very excited! EEEEEEEEEE!
Also, the Gala should be extra special with Clay singing Christmas songs. Can't wait to see the clack.
So sorry for people who had made plans already for the original Gala, Hope they can change their plans, but good news for the rest of us Clay Aiken will be on TV woohoo!
I’m sorry for those who have to change their plans. I’m also dying to know what the tv info is. Can’t wait! I bet the Gala will be so much fun in December and all the Christmas music with Clay. 🙂
Ooooh! Christmas songs, I wish I could go!
I can't wait to find out what it is that made it necessary for the gala dates to be changed. Oh man, I wish I could go. I feel for those who have to change travel plans, but IMO, the NIP and Clay Aiken is well worth it. The promise of added performance time alone makes me envious.
Well it will cost more, but I am excited to see Clay on TV and also get to hear more songs from him. He sings Christmas songs like no other. I know it has to be something really important for them to change the date of the Gala because that is probably quite a process. Clay is so worth paying more for my airline ticket. I am super excited!
Found out about this change late today and made changes that I could so far. I am excited for the Christmas songs!!
This would have been my first Gala. Not sure I can go in December, but I'll still be there in spirit.
I'm glad I could donate–no refund for me!!
Yep…I'll still be there! Since I will be driving it was a pretty easy switch! I now just pray for "NO SNOW"!! Hope all of you with air travel plans can easily make your changes! It will be wonderful to have Clay "kick of" the Christmas season for us! I think the folks at NIP did a great job making last minute changes….being a "party planner" I know how difficult that can be! I'll see all of you there…let's make this a great year for NIP!! Cookie